BOOK III

SUMMARY OF BOOK III

Invocation of the Muse, Erato (1-5).—­Hera and Athena, after consultation, visit Cypris to ask the aid of her son Eros on behalf of the Argonauts (6-110).—­Eros promises to pierce with an arrow Medea, daughter of Aeetes:  Jason lays his plans before his comrades (111-209).—­Arrival of Jason and a few chosen companions at the palace of Aeetes, which is described:  Eros performs his promise (210-298).—­Interview between Aeetes and the heroes:  Jason undertakes the task imposed by the king as the price of obtaining the golden fleece (299-438).—­Anguish of Medea because of her love for Jason (439-470).—­On the advice of Argus, it is decided to apply for Medea’s aid through Chalciope, mother of Argus and sister of Medea (471-575).—­Plans of Aeetes against the Argonauts (576-608).—­Medea promises Chalciope to aid her sons and their companions (609-743)—­After long hesitation Medea prepares to carry magic drugs to Jason and goes with her attendants to meet him at Hecate’s temple (744-911).—­Interview of Jason and Medea:  return of Medea to the palace (912-1162).—­Aeetes hands over the dragons teeth to Jason’s messengers.  Jason offers a nocturnal sacrifice to Hecate (1163-1224).—­Preparations of Jason:  he yokes the fiery bulls, sows the dragons teeth, and compels the giants who spring up to slay one another, himself joining in the slaughter:  the task is accomplished (1225-1407).

BOOK III

Come now, Erato, stand by my side, and say next how Jason brought back the fleece to Iolcus aided by the love of Medea.  For thou sharest the power of Cypris, and by thy love-cares dost charm unwedded maidens; wherefore to thee too is attached a name that tells of love.

Thus the heroes, unobserved, were waiting in ambush amid the thick reed-beds; but Hera and Athena took note of them, and, apart from Zeus and the other immortals, entered a chamber and took counsel together; and Hera first made trial of Athena: 

“Do thou now first, daughter of Zeus, give advice.  What must be done?  Wilt thou devise some scheme whereby they may seize the golden fleece of Aeetes and bear it to Hellas, or can they deceive the king with soft words and so work persuasion?  Of a truth he is terribly overweening.  Still it is right to shrink from no endeavour.”

Thus she spake, and at once Athena addressed her:  “I too was pondering such thoughts in my heart, Hera, when thou didst ask me outright.  But not yet do I think that I have conceived a scheme to aid the courage of the heroes, though I have balanced many plans.”

She ended, and the goddesses fixed their eyes on the ground at their feet, brooding apart; and straightway Hera was the first to speak her thought:  “Come, let us go to Cypris; let both of us accost her and urge her to bid her son (if only he will obey) speed his shaft at the daughter of Aeetes, the enchantress, and charm her with love for Jason.  And I deem that by her device he will bring back the fleece to Hellas.”